Thursday, November 12, 2009

Ten-Inch Nails – No Cut-back in Aviation Security

Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful to TSA and whatever its Mexican counterpart is for giving us at least the illusion of aviation security. But in the past few years those intrepid inspectors have been collecting, thanks to me and my aversion to checked baggage, their own little Dopp kit full of my essential—though apparently lethal—personal items.

The first time the Mexican gatekeepers took my corkscrew, I had no idea the thing could be used to bring down a plane, but I took their vehement word for it. The next time, I made sure I was on solid footing, finding corkscrews (without blade attachments) on the list of specifically TSA-allowed items. ¡Por Dios! Nope, still lethal in Mexico. So now, to deny yet another over-zealous so-and-so the hand-wringing delight of disarming me on my way home, I drink only at those Mexican establishments licensed to safely own and operate these weapons of oenology.

Then there are my beloved nail scissors. I also use them to trim my mustache, fishing line, dangling threads or any other loose end. I used to assume no one would mind my invaluable little multi-function Swiss Army penknife with scissors, but, having gifted five or six to TSA, I resigned myself to disheveledness. Then I read that TSA now allows “Scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches.” At last, here was my grooming salvation, and sure enough, I got them through in my carry-on for Veracruz. But not so rápido, amigo. They weren’t coming home. The offshoot? Exactly! (I think my title says it.)

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ElViajeroContento (the Happy Traveler) is an illustrated collection of brief travel stories told by author Jeffrey Willius. More than just a "went there, did that" journal, it attempts to recount the deeper bonds made with people and place. Occasional posts focus on a single, especially moving experience. Enjoy!

About Me

Jeffrey Willius is a veteran writer, an award-winning graphic designer, an inventor with a U.S. utility patent to his name, and a sensitive observer of his world. He is the author of Under the Wild Ginger – A Simple Guide to the Wisdom of Wonder, and launched the popular blog, One Man's Wonder, in October, 2010.
He enjoys traveling, especially in Latin America, where he pursues his quest for fluency in Spanish.
Willius has written professionally for over 30 years. His work has been published in Popular Science Magazine and in many daily newspapers and trade magazines.
He lives in Minneapolis, and spends a month annually in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico.